Spring 2016 Edition - RTO/ERO District 4 Sudbury

District 4
THE RETIRED TEACHERS OF ONTARIO
LES ENSEIGNANTES ET ENSEIGNANTS
RETRAITÉS DE L’ONTARIO
SPRING/PRINTEMPS 2016
http://www.rtoerosudburymanitoulin.com
Executive Board/Conseil exécutif
2015-2016
Ronald Robert
President/Président
Carmaine Hall
1st Vice-president/1ère Vice-présidente
Roland Muzzatti
2nd Vice-president/2e Vice-président
Dave Hodge
Treasurer/Trésorier
Diane Bradley
Secretary/Secrétaire
Terry Martyn
Past President/Président sortant
Pierrette Nadeau
Social
Peter Niro
Political Action/Action politique
Gen Waszczylo
Goodwill/Bienfaisance
Ronald Robert
Health-Insurance/Santé-assurance
Terry Martyn
Membership/Adhésion
Jenny Ross
Pensions
Francine Hurtubise
Newsletter Editor/Éditrice
Juliette Lavoie-Gaboury
Travel/Voyages
Gloria Packard
Media/Médias
Debbie Lambert
Unit 1 Representative/
Représentante Unité 1
Diane Bradley
Webmaster/Webmestre
Important Changes at RTO/ERO May Be
on the Horizon
At this year’s Spring Senate, to be held in May, Senators will need to be
informed and will debate two significant issues. Depending on the outcome
of these discussions, important changes for RTO/ERO’s procedures and
policies are likely.
The first issue is the discussion on a notice of motion by District 8, LondonMiddlesex, presented at last Fall’s Senate, that Bylaw 12 - Standing
Committee Terms of Reference - Health Services and Insurance Committee,
Section (c) be amended to read:
To appoint insurance carriers, underwriters, administrators, claims payers, consultants, and other professional help every three years beginning
in 2016 following a Request for Proposals (RPF) process to the insurance
industry.
As you can surmise, this motion is significant and important. The process of
seeking a “Request for Proposals” (RFP) is usually a normal procedure when
companies, governments or organizations run health plans. What is unusual
is that RTO/ERO has never entertained RFPs to examine its health plans.
Are RFPs important in health field? Absolutely. They help owners of health
plans ascertain that the administrating, consulting and paying of claims are
done efficiently and effectively and that services provided are at industry
standards. They allow the owners to determine if they are obtaining value
for money and if their health plan is well run.
It will be interesting to see how the Provincial Executive will frame this
debate. It is also important to note that Johnson has been the sole third
party administrator since the plan’s inception. I hope that the Senate will
have a robust debate on this matter because it is our fiduciary responsibility
to do so.
The second issue is the “Canada Not for Profit Corporation Act”. RTO/ERO
must determine if it is compliant with this new legislation. In order to
provide guidance, the Provincial Executive has established a Governance
Committee composed of seven district Presidents. Their task will be to
(continued on p.2)
Inside/À l’intérieur…
From the President’s Desk................................................p.1
Dates to Remember........................................................p.2
Reader’s Corner/Le coin du livre.......................................p.2
Mot du président.............................................................p.3
Membership....................................................................p.4
Goodwill/Bienfaisance......................................................p.5
In Memoriam..................................................................p.6
North Shore/Manitoulin Newsbeat.................................... p.7
Foundation Report........................................................p.7
Financial Report ..........................................................p.8
Travel/Voyages............................................................p. 9
Merit Travel ..............................................................p.13
RWTO/OERO.............................................................p.13
Awards......................................................................p.15
Inscription/Rencontre du printemps.............................p.15
Registratin/Spring luncheon and meeting.....................p.16
From the President’s Desk (continued)
review all of RTO/ERO’s organization: its constitution, by-laws, policies, committee structures and even decision
making processes. These will need to be reviewed and if necessary aligned with the requirements prescribed in
the new legislation. As well, the review will help RTO/ERO determine if it meets the standards of accountability,
transparency and most importantly its fiduciary responsibility.
These two issues could change RTO/ERO as we know it. The ultimate objective must be to ensure that RTO/ERO
is the best possible organization for retired teachers and that it meets the needs of its members in a responsible
manner.
Ronald Robert
SOCIAL COMMITTEE
*** Since March 1st, 2016, the Howard Johnson on Brady Street is known as the
Lexington Hotel. ***
Dates to include in your calendar:
Executive Board Meetings: Lexington Hotel, on Brady Street, at 9:30 am.
Thursday, April 21, 2016
Spring Luncheon & Annual Meeting: Lexington Hotel, on Brady Street
Thursday, May 12, 2016
Retirement Workshop (for active teachers): Lexington Hotel, Brady Street
Thursday, April 28, 2016 at 5:00 pm
Volunteer Luncheon: Lexington Hotel, Brady Street
Tuesday, June 7, 2016
Pierrette Nadeau
Reader’s Corner…a few delightful reading selections
1. Seré Prince Halverson … All the Winters After
2. Lynda Cohen Loigman … The Two-Family House
3. Yann Martel … The High Mountains of Portugal
4. Elizabeth Strout … My Name is Lucy Barton
Le coin du livre…quelques suggestions pour agrémenter votre lecture
1. Rendez à ces arbres ce qui appartient à ces arbres de Boucar Diouf
2. Coup d’envoi de Micheline Duff
3. La Saline (tome 2) - Impasse de Daniel Lessard
4. L’arracheuse de temps de Fred Pellerin Francine Hurtubise
A Heart for Children
One hundred years from now,
It will not matter
What kind of house I lived in,
How much I had in my bank,
Nor what my clothes looked like.
What kind of school I attended,
What kind of computer I used,
How large or small my church,
But the world may be a little better,
Because I was important
In the life of a child.
One hundred years from now,
It will not matter
Mot du président
Des changements significatifs à RTO/ERO sont une possibilité future
Durant le Sénat du printemps qui aura lieu en mai, les sénateurs seront renseignés et discuteront deux
questions de grande portée. Selon les résultats de ces discussions, des changements aux politiques et
procédures de RTO/ERO seront une possibilité vraisemblable.
La première question qui sera discutée est un avis de motion présentée lors du sénat d’automne par le
District 8, London-Middlesex.
L’avis se lit comme suit :
Que le Statut 12 – Normes de référence du Comité permanent - Comité des services de santé
et des assurances -, Section (c) soit modifié comme tel:
Pour nommer des compagnies d’assurance, courtiers, administrateurs, gestionnaires de
revendications, consultants et autre aide professionnelle à tous les trois ans à partir de l’année 2016 à la
suite d’un appel d’offres de l’industrie des assurances.
Comme vous pouvez le présumer, cet avis est important et significatif. La demande d’un appel d’offres
est une procédure habituelle pour les compagnies, gouvernements ou organismes qui gèrent des
plans de soins de santé. Il est surprenant que RTO/ERO n’ait jamais envisagé un appel d’offres pour
examiner ses régimes de soins de santé. Les appels d’offres sont-ils importants dans le domaine de
la santé? Absolument. Ils permettent aux propriétaires des régimes de soins de santé à vérifier que
l’administration, la consultation et le paiement des revendications se font de façon efficace et efficiente
et que les services fournis répondent aux standards de l’industrie. Ils permettent ainsi aux propriétaires
de déterminer s’ils reçoivent le meilleur rapport qualité-prix et si leur régime de soins de santé est bien
géré.
Ce sera intéressant de voir comment le Conseil de direction provincial mènera la discussion. Il importe
de noter que Johnson a été le seul tiers administrateur depuis la création de notre régime de soins de
santé. J’espère que le Sénat aura une discussion robuste à ce sujet car c’est notre obligation fiduciaire
de le faire.
La deuxième question porte sur la “Loi canadienne sur les organisations à but non lucratif “. RTO/
ERO doit déterminer si elle répond aux exigences de cette nouvelle loi. Afin de fournir une direction,
le Conseil de direction provincial a créé un Comité de gouvernance composé des présidents de sept
districts. Leur tâche est de revoir toutes les composantes de RTO/ERO: sa constitution, ses statuts,
ses politiques, les structures de ses comités et même ses processus de prise de décisions. Durant la
revue, s’il est nécessaire, ces composantes devront être alignées aux exigences prescrites par cette
nouvelle loi. Cette revue aidera RTO/ERO à déterminer si elle respecte les standards de redevabilité,
transparence et aussi ses responsabilités fiduciaires.
Ces deux questions peuvent avoir un impact sur RTO/ERO comme on la connaît. Le but ultime est de
s’assurer que RTO/ERO est la meilleure organisation pour les enseignants, les enseignantes à la retraite
et qu’elle répond aux besoins de ses membres de façon responsable.
Ronald Robert
Pour les férus de la langue française…
· Le plus long mot palindrome de la langue française est « ressasser ». C’est-à-dire qu’il se lit dans les
deux sens.
· « Institutionnalisation » est le plus long lipogramme en « e ». C’est-à-dire qu’il ne comporte aucun « e ».
· « Délice », « amour » et « orgue » ont la particularité d’être de genre masculin et deviennent féminin à
la forme pluriel.
Membership/Membriété
The following people have joined RTO/ERO during the months of December 2015-February 2016.
Congratulations and welcome to RTO/ERO District 4.
Nancy Elizabeth Burdeniuk
Robert Scott Hanson
Elizabeth A. Lounsbury
Vicki McGuire
Lorraine Petryna
Anne Schijns
Unit 1
Richard Burdeniuk
Melody Henry
Laurie Maltby
Benito Peca
Lesia Sawkiw
James T. Zinger
Joyce Boivin
Joseph Donald Labelle
Your Contact Information
If you notice an error in any of your contact information or if you have a change in any of your
information, please contact Diane Vezeau at the provincial office to update your file. Diane can be
reached at 1-800-361-9888 or by email at ([email protected])
Retirement Planning Workshop
The annual Retirement Planning Workshop for District 4 will be held on Thursday, April 28, 2016 at the
Lexington Hotel (formerly the Howard Johnson Hotel – Brady St.).
This workshop is for active teachers, administrators, educational support staff, College and University
personnel who may be retiring in the next few years. Registration takes place online by going to the
provincial website and clicking on ‘Retirement Planning Workshop Schedule’ in their city and then
register for the English or French session. (http://www.rto-ero.org)
Membership & Recruitment
Any questions about membership can be directed to Terry Martyn at 705-688-0314 or by email at
‘[email protected]’.
CAN YOU HELP?
At the Christmas meeting the following motion was passed:
That the Executive investigate the practicality of RTO/ERO participating in the local refugee
resettlement process.
Rather than try to coordinate a group effort, the Executive decided that the most practical way
members could participate would be on an individual basis.
Lifeline Sudbury, chaired by Dave Courtemanche, is a self help umbrella organization of all the local
sponsorship groups. They have one employee funded through the office of MP Paul Lefevbre.
Members of District 4 who are not part of one of the several sponsoring groups but who wish to assist
in the local refugee resettlement effort should contact Nilgiri Pearson at: 705 207 5246 or
[email protected]
Lifeline Sudbury also had a website.
Goodwill/Bienfaisance
 Blanche Duhaime was recently featured in The Sudbury Star with the article
entitled “We fought to keep our Mother Tongue” - referring to Regulation 17, a
law that was adopted in 1912 and repealed in 1927. It banned elementary school
teachers from speaking French. Premier Kathleen Wynne rose in the Legislative
Assembly at Queen’s Park to apologize for the law. Sudbury MPP Glenn Thibeault
pushed for his government to issue the apology. The picture with the article included her daughter,
Charlotte Duhaime Bogomaz. Both Blanche and Charlotte are ERO/RTO members. Félicitations!
Gen Waszczylo [email protected]
Goodwill/Bienfaisance Committee Members
Annette Blais-Laforge
675-5985
Bessie Budge
869-3408
Isobel Patchett
522-0115
Louise Shonwise
969-3584
Juliette Lavoie-Gaboury
897-6028
Paulette Stewart
566-5996
Gen Waszczylo
969-5282
Call us....Appelez-nous
Anne Malnachuk
969-2914
Josie Girolametto
682-2682
Helen Laidlaw
523-1571
Nicole St. Germain 758-6614
Helga Leblanc
897-6877
Monique Taylor
853-4772
“A Teacher is a compass that activates the magnets of curiosity, knowledge and wisdom in their pupils.”
Ever Garrison
“The important thing is not so much that every child should be taught, as that every child should be
given the wish to learn.” John Lubbock
“Dear Teacher: You are my hero. Because you believed in me, I never gave up.” Unique Teaching
Resources
Nous honorons nos membres décédés qui ont transmis la joie d’apprendre.
We honour our deceased members who gave their students the confidence to pursue their dreams.
In Memoriam
Jean Fulin
Hubert Lounsbury
Bernice Legris
Pauline Meilleur
Roger Lefebvre
Anita Galipeau
Jacqueline Ménard
Barbara Kaitola
Nancy Tissington
Dan McInnis
Sr. Madelaine Rochon
Membres en deuil/Bereaved Members
Rita, sa mère, et Claudette Tosolini, sa belle mère, Gabriella
Hémédine Weiman, son frère, Alban Rochon
Diane Tardif, sa mère, Dolorès Fredette
Francine Cazabon Bernier, son époux, Peter
Elaine Blais, son père, Ugo Comacchio
Carmaine Hall, son père, Ovila Cyr
Micheline Larochelle, son frère, Réal Larochelle
Michel Ménard, sa mère, Jacqueline Ménard
Céline Antonuk, sa soeur, Anita Galipeau
Edwin Kaitola, his wife, Barbara
Laurianne Polsky, son beau père, John
Gabrielle Taillon, son frère, Marcel Carrière
Vos collègues vous disent MERCI
Your colleagues say THANK YOU
“Un gros merci pour le don fait à la mémoire de mon père, Edmond Dubuc. Un merci spécial à Monique
Taylor pour les paroles réconfortantes. Tu es une personne spéciale et très sympathique. Amitié” Ron et
Monique Dubuc
“Thank you for the Chapters card. I am recovering well.” Jean Ethier
“Thank you for the condolence posted on the Lougheed site and the donation from RTO/ERO to the
CNIB, in memory of my late mother, Bernice Legris. Mom dealt with glaucoma for many years and as
her vision declined, she had received assistance from the CNIB. I have heard from quite a few people
with whom my mom taught. They have been so kind in their memories of her. Second only to her
grandchildren, mom was proudest of her many years of teaching. Thank you again for your kindness.”
Mary Sue O’Connor
“Thank you for remembering me at Christmas. In return, I wish all of you and yours, health and
happiness in the new year.” Blanche Szendrey
“Georgina and I thank RTO/ERO for the kind words expressed by Monique Taylor of the Goodwill
Committee with regards to the passing of my mother, Frances Zobetz. The donation to CNIB in
remembrance of my mother is truly appreciated” Ed and Georgina Zobetz
“Your support for the P.E.T. scanner over the last few years has been sincerely appreciated. It is people
like yourself who choose to speak up for a cause and advocate on its behalf who make things happen.
We encountered many naysayers on this journey and chose to ignore their negativity. Here we are
today with a government funding the operational costs for our scanner which we were told would never
happen. Determination and perseverance pay off. On behalf of our committee, we can’t thank you
enough.” Brenda Tessaro, Sam Bruno P.E.T. Scanner Committee
“Ma fille et moi tenons à vous exprimer notre profonde gratitude pour les mots de soutien que vous
nous avez apportés après le décès de Peter” Francine et Melissa Bernier
“On behalf of the family of Yolanda Oshell, I want to extend a sincere thank you for the donation
to the CNIB in memory of our mom. Your card was so lovely and the message was extraordinary!”
Maureen Low (Oshell)
Merci pour le don au Fond Sam Bruno PET Scanner à la mémoire de mon époux, Michel.” Claire Sévigny
“Thank you for the donation in memory of my Dad. The thoughtfulness and compassion shown by
RTO/ERO towards its members during difficult times is comforting. I am fortunate to be an integral part
of such a great organization.” The Cyr Family/La famille Cyr
Mantoulin/North Shore Newsbeat
The Northshore /Manitoulin Executive team met at 12: 00 on Tuesday, February/23/16 at
the Pinewood Restaurant to plan the upcoming RTO/ ERO general meeting which will be held
on Tuesday, May 17/16 at the Elk’s Hall in Espanola. Theresa Laurenti, Personal Development
Life Coach, will give an uplifting presentation called “Zest for Life”. It should be quite interesting!
Social time: 11:30. Lunch: 12:00. Meeting: 1: p.m.
If you have any information regarding special birthdays, anniversaries or deaths of members or their
families please contact the Goodwill representative for your area.
Barb Cranston, Little Current, 705 368 2498
Laila Kiviaho, Central Manitoulin, 705 368 2580
Jane Deyell, Southern and Eastern Manitoulin, 705 859 3538
Val Flanagan, Western Manitoulin, 702 282 3386
Bessie Budge, Espanola, 705 869 3408
In Memoriam
Ken McNalley, husband of Diane.
Lillian Mullen, mother of Dianne Aitchison.
Claudette Bois
Foundation Report
Those who accessed the Winter on line edition of the newsletter will have noted that the Foundation
has instituted a Tribute Giving program as part of its fund raising initiative intended to support an
increasing variety of research projects in the field of geriatric medicine. Grants will be made on an
annual basis.
Our members may make a donation in memory of a deceased relative or friend and/or may request,
a similar “tribute” upon their own passing. Every local funeral home has a stock of donation cards
complete with pre-addressed and stamped envelopes. I would urge members of District 4 to support
this initiative. Any donation to the Foundation (annual, monthly or in tribute) of $20 or more qualifies
for an income tax receipt.
Dave Hodge
RETIRED TEACHERS OF ONTARIO - District 4
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
FOR THE PERIOD JANUARY 1 – DECEMBER 31, 2015
OPENING TOTAL ASSETS
Checking Account
Investments - GIC
Unit account
6 786.54
10 066.25
557.58
TOTAL Grants:
Annual Bilingual RPW Political Advocacy
Other Income:
RPW Meals
General Meetings
Donations
Unit Return
Interest
TOTAL
TOTAL RECEIPTS AND ASSETS
17 410.37
RECEIPTS
24 424.65
1 071.18
1 005.43
508.50
1 830.00
10 516.42
605.00
696.41
1 262.53
41 920.12
59 330.69
EXPENDITURES
Good Will
Meetings:
District
Executive
Senate Newsletter
Bilingual services
Office Expenses
R.P.W
Political Advocacy
Recruitment
Transportation
Return to Disrict
Awards Relay For Life
Donation
Website
4 2 13.59
11 623.40
2 881.74
1 729.17 4 925.79
1 071.18
1 254.84
3 467.74
508.50
1 128.96
3 599.00
696.41
165.39
258.58
1 824.41
33.84
TOTAL EXPENDITURES
BALANCE
Comprised of:
Chequing
GIC
CLOSING TOTAL ASSETS
39 381.54
19 948.95
8 620.17
11 328.78
17 010.49 Dave Hodge
CARNET DE VOYAGE
Après 18 heures de vol, quelques films et breuvages,
notre voyage en Thaïlande avec ma fille Mélissa
et les membres Suzanne Blais, Denise Perreault et
Lorraine Robineau commence le soir dans la capitale
de Bangkok (City of Angels) – une vibrante mégapole
de 14 millions habitants! Tout au long du voyage,
on est accueilli par le Wai – un geste de salutation, mains jointes devant
la poitrine et une légère flexion de la tête. La capitale thaïlandaise est une scène de la vie nocturne
infâme qui nous accueille en route à l’hôtel! C’est la saison des pluies mais nous avons été chanceuces:
brèves averses, soleil et nuages étaient au rendez-vous. Par contre, le taux d’humidité et la chaleur
nous donnait l’impression d’être dans un sauna; à la fin de la 1ère journée, on aurait pu tordre nos
vêtements!
La ville est bruyante et sale; la
circulation, chaotique. Moines en
robes couleur safran, architecture de
toits à pignon raide avec le Chofa,
un ornement décoratif au bout des
toits qui ressemble à un oiseau avec
des cornes, mets exotiques, marchés
colorés, plusieurs temples ciselés
comme de la dentelle d’or, des
sanctuaires bouddhistes qui parsèment le pays... Les gens sont polis, calmes et font preuve de pudeur;
on peut y constater une forte religiosité. Tous les foyers, hôtels, et bâtisses ont chacun un autel
bouddhiste et les gens ont une quasi-vénération pour la famille royale. Critique ouvertement le roi et tu
es passible de prison! Du jamais-vu, plusieurs très grands panneaux avec photos de la famille royale!
Sans doute pour projeter leur enchantement avec la monarchie! Pour vivre l’expérience pleinement,
nous avons dégusté un vrai pad thai qui ne coûte pas beaucoup plus que 2 $ canadiens et avons pris
un fameux massage thai pour 20 $! La masseuse me comprimait, me tirait, m’étirait, me secouait, me
poinçonnait; j’ai eu peur de ne pas être capable de me lever et marcher mais heureusement pas de
problème. Ouf! Que diriez-vous d’un traitement spa où de petits poissons mangent les peaux mortes de
vos pieds qui sont plongés dans un grand aquarium?
Voici les points forts de notre voyage :
• 3 jours à Bangkok où nous visitons le Palais
royal avec son bouddha d’émeraude, le Temple
Wat Po avec son bouddha couché de 43 m et le
bouddha en or pesant 5.5. tonnes!
• En bateau, nous visitons les canaux de la
ville, appelés klongs; j’avais les yeux rivés sur
le passage kaléidoscopique de la vie de rivière,
caméra à la main, bien sûr!
• Visite du marché flottant Damnoen Saduak.
Tout un choc des cultures! Les gens vendent leurs produits de leur bateau « longtail ». J’ai réussi à acheter un gros sac de saffran pour 3 $ tandis qu’ici c’est pas achetable!
• Découverte du pont sur la rivière Kwai rendu célèbre par le roman et le film américain;
• C’est au tour de la ville Ayuthaya et la visite du palais d’été; cette ancienne capitale nous livre une
partie de l’histoire mouvementée du pays. En soirée, coup de cœur pour notre visite en cyclo-pousse
avec garde policière pas moins. Au marché de nuit, nous avons la chance de déguster des insectes;
je n’ai pas profité de cette chance!
• Découverte du site de Sukkotai (un site de l’Unesco) avec ses bouddhas géants qui surgissent parmi
les vestiges des temples du passé;
• Déplacement en motocar dans les montagnes du nord nous permettant de voir le pays et s’arrêter
explorer la tribu du village Karen Hill; ceux-ci vivent dans des maisons de bamboo sur pilotis et vivent
de chasse, de pêche, d’agriculture et d’artisanat. C’est ici, en 2007, que Sylvester Stallone situe l’action
de son film Rambo!
• Arrêt au triangle doré aux affluents des rivières Mekong et Mae Nuam Ruak, où nous nous retrouvons
sur la frontière de la Thaïlande, de la Birmanie et du Laos pour prendre le dîner;
• Découverte de la beauté luxuriante d’une plantation de thé située sur
une colline verdoyante; la plantation se spécialise dans la production de
haute qualité du thé oolong; il est délicieux et calmant;
• Arrêt au temple tout blanc Wat Rong Khun, un site très moderne
et inachevé. L’artiste a tenté de démontrer l’engouement des valeurs
matérielles et l’impact destructif des humains sur la
terre;
• 2 autres coups de coeur: une balade de 2 heures
à dos d’éléphant dans les montagnes de la forêt tropicale et une visite au Natural
Elephant Park dédié à la prise en charge des éléphants maltraités; nous avons eu
la chance de nourrir et laver ces géants dans la rivière, pour les voir par la suite
se rouler dans la boue et d’observer leur baignade surveillée par la matriarche de
la famille;
• Cours de cuisine : nous avons la chance d’aller faire
les courses avec le chef au marché local; celle-ci nous
démontre les ingrédients à la base des soupes, salades
et currys du pays; de retour à sa maison elle fait une démonstration puis
nous nous mettons la main à la pâte suivi de la dégustation. Yum, yum!
• Envolée pour nous rendre au centre du Cambodge à Siem Reap pour
apprécier le site de l’Unesco – les Temples d’Angkor. Ta Prohm est le plus
impressionnant; il s’agit de celui où a été tourné le film Tomb Raider, envahi par une jungle tropicale et
empreint de beauté. C’est un royaume perdu qu’ont laissé en héritage les Khmers. Je suis silencieuse
devant tant de majesté. Les arbres envahissent les ruines, les racines gigantesques déforment les
murailles en créant des œuvres d’art. Mystique!
Nous avons fait un merveilleux voyage en Thaïlande et au Cambodge. Du début à la fin, Louis notre
accompagnateur s’est toujours soucié du bien de tous. Il possédait de grandes connaissances sur son
pays. Le groupe était dynamique et le plaisir était au rendez-vous. À vous d’y aller car c’est un voyage
magnifique au pays du sourire et de la gentillesse.
Travel Journal
After 18 hours of flight time, a few movies and
drinks, our trip to Thailand with my daughter
Mélissa and RTO members Suzanne Blais, Denise
Perreault and Lorraine Robineau begins in the
capital of Bangkok (City of Angels) - a vibrant
metropolis of 14 million peopke! Throughout our
trip, we were always greeted by the Wai - a gesture
of greeting, hands clasped in front of the chest and a slight bend of the
head. The Thai capital with its scenes of infamous nightlife welcomed us on the way to the hotel! It
was the rainy season but we were lucky: brief showers only on the last day with sun and clouds the
other days. However, the humidity and the heat gave the impression of being in a sauna ; at the end of
10
the first day we could have rung out our clothes.
The city was noisy and dirty, the traffic, chaotic.
Monks in saffron robes, architecture of steep gable
roofs with Chofa, decorative ornaments at the end
of roofs resembling a bird with horns, exotic dishes,
colorful markets, several temples chiseled as gold
lace, Buddhist shrines dotting the country…People
are polite, calm and modest. They are very religious;
every home, hotel and building has a buddhist altar
and they are also very devoted to the Royal family. If you openly criticize the king,
you are liable of prison! Unprecedented – there are many very large panels with photos of the royal
family! No doubt it is to project their enchantment with the monarchy. To experience fully, we enjoyed
a real pad Thai that cost us not much more than $2 Canadian and we took a famous Thai massage
for $20! The masseuse punched, compressed, pulled, stretched, rocked and sat on me; I was scared
not to be able to get up and walk at the end but luckily there were no problems. How about a spa
treatment where little fish clean off the dead skin of your feet?
Here are the highlights of our trip:
• 3 days in Bangkok where we visit the Royal Palace with its Emerald Buddha,
Wat Po Temple with its 43 m reclining Buddha and Gold Buddha weighing 5.5.
tons!
• Exploring by boat the city’s canals called klongs; I stared at the passing
kaleidoscope of life on the river , camera in hand, of course!
• Lunch at the floating market Damnoen Saduak. Quite a culture shock! People
sell their products on their “long-tail”boat. I managed to buy a big bag of
saffron for $3 while here it is very expensive!
• Discovery of the bridge on the river Kwai made famous by the novel and the
American film;
• Checking out Ayutthaya City and visiting the Summer Palace; this ancient
capital gave us some of the turbulent history of the country. In the evening,
we enjoyed a city tour by rickshaw with a police custody, no less. At the
night market, we had the chance to taste insects, some live; I did not take
advantage of this opportunity!
• Visiting of Sukhothai, a UNESCO site, with its giant Buddhas that arise
from the ruins of the temples of the past;
• Exploring the northern mountains via touring bus allowed us to see the
country and stopping to explore the village of the Karen Hill tribe; they live in bamboo houses on stilts
and survive by hunting, fishing, agriculture and crafts. It was here in 2007 that Sylvester Stallone
filmed the action of his film Rambo!
• Stopping at the golden triangle where the Mekong River and Ruak Mae Nuam meet; we found
ourselves on the borders of Thailand, Burma and Laos to have dinner;
• Discovering the lush beauty of a tea plantation located on a green hill; it
specializes in producing high-quality oolong tea which is delicious and soothing;
• Stopping at the all white temple of Wat Rong Khun, a modern but
unfinished site. The artist attempted to demonstrate the enthusiasm for
material values and the destructive impact of humans on the earth.
• Authentic cooking class: we had the chance to go shopping with the chef
at the local market; she showed us the basic ingredients for soups, salads
and curries; back at her house she gave us a crash course and then it was
hands-on for us followed by the tasting. Yum, yum!
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• 2 other tour highlights: a 2 hour elephant ride in the rainforest mountains and a visit at the Natural
Elephant Park dedicated to the care of the mistreated elephants; we were lucky enough to feed and
wash them in the river, only to see them afterward rolling about in the mud and to observe their
bathing under the watchful eye of the matriarch of the family;
• flight to the center of Cambodia and to Siem Reap to enjoy the Unesco
website - the Temples of Angkor. Ta Prohm was most impressive; it’s the one
where was shot the filmTomb Raider; invaded by a tropical jungle, it is truly
beautiful. It is a lost kingdom left in legacy by the Khmer. I was awed before
such majesty. The trees invaded the ruins, the gigantic roots deformed the
walls thus creating works of art. Mystical!
We had a wonderful trip to Thailand and Cambodia. From beginning to end, our
tour director Louis was always concerned with each of the participant’s welfare.
He had a great knowledge of his country. The group was dynamic and fun was
at the rendezvous. I invite you to someday discover this part of Asia; it’s a
beautiful journey to the land of smiles and kindness.
Juliette Lavoie-Gaboury
*To view my pictures of Thailand in colour, go to www.rtoerosudburymanitoulin.com
N O U V E AU / N E W: Costco travel services are now
available in Canada after 15 years in the US! They do not
replace your travel agent but offer you travel deals in 3
categories: Cruises, Vacation packages and Car rentals.
They have a bilingual call centre.
If you have a membership, check them out at
www.costcotravel.ca or call 1-855-863-0357
Attention!
Merit Travel is hosting a cruise information session with Exclusive Tours at their office on April 26 at
2 pm. The following trips will be featured: Voyages to Antiquity, Star Clippers, Adventure Canada, AMA
Waterways and Azamara Cruises.
If interested, please RSVP Merit Travel by April 22 at 705 564 9990.
Lexophilia
~ How does Moses make tea? Hebrews it.
~ Venison for dinner again? Oh deer!
~ A cartoonist was found dead in his home. Details are sketchy.
~ I used to be a banker, but then I lost interest.
~ Haunted French pancakes give me the crêpes.
~ England has no kidney bank, but it does have a Liverpool.
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Retired Women Teachers of Ontario/Organisation des
enseignantes retraitées de l’Ontario (RWTO/OERO)
60e anniversaire tout brillant de diamants
Les enseignantes du RWTO/OERO de la région de Sudbury vont célébrer le 60e anniversaire de leur
association provinciale. Si les enseignantes de nos jours ont la parité salariale, les conditions de travail
égales à celles des hommes c’est grâce en grande partie à ce groupe d’enseignantes qui forment
maintenant le RWTO-OERO, qui étaient lors de leur carrières, déterminées et engagées à améliorer la
condition de la femme en éducation.
Sous le thème d’une garden-party avec du ‘bling’, les membres et amies du RWTO/OERO vont s’en
donner à coeur joie à déguster un goûter savoureux. Tout en rigolant et en s’amusant elles pourront
se remémorer les étapes marquantes du monde de l’éducation et de la modernisation. Quelle belle
occasion à porter pour l’occasion de grands chapeaux, se parer de bijoux brillants ou à reflets de
diamants! Encerclez à votre calendrier le mardi 17 mai, 10 h 30 à 14 h, hôtel Lexington, anciennement
Howard Johnson Plaza.
Ladies, put on your bling!
The RWTO-OERO teachers and
friends, Area 10-Sudbury branch,
will be celebrating their organization’s
60th anniversary with a garden tea
party theme. If women teachers now
have wage parity, working conditions
equal to men, it is greatly due to
the determination of our members
of RWTO-OERO, who during their
teaching careers fought to improve
the status of women in education and
society.
Diamonds are a girl’s best friend!
What a great occasion to wear
our bling jewelry, big hats and
indulge ourselves with pleasure at
remembering the thresholds we
have made in education, the fond
memories we have of our teaching
experiences and the gains to the
women’s movement. This luncheon is
not to be missed! May 17, Lexington
Hotel formerly Howard Johnson Plaza,
10:30 am to 2 p.m.
Suzanne Rondeau
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to explore on their own without paying any additional fees for being a
solo traveler. You won’t have to deal with hauling luggage from place to
place, finding good company during meals or navigating an unfamiliar
environment alone. And there are plenty of opportunities to meet new
friends on our intimate ships!
If you are thinking of traveling solo, book any 2016 or 2017 river cruises
in Europe or Asia and pay no single supplement in select categories.
Please ask us for details.
Merit Travel Sudbury | 266 Caswell Dr. | 705.564.9990
*All rates are p.p. for cruise only, based on an entry level cat. stateroom unless stated otherwise. Solo
Traveler Program offer is valid on new bookings. Single supplement waived is applicable on the cruise
portion only in cat. E and D (Europe); cat. C (Myanmar). Offer is not combinable with any other promotions/
discounts, is limited to availability, is capacity controlled and is subject to change or termination without
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13
Se sucrer le bec au Québec!
Quelle belle expérience! Ne vous trompez pas, le sirop d’érable de l’Ontario est
super délicieux. Nous avions déjà visité les sucreries de l’Île St-Joseph près du
Sault à plusieurs reprises. Mais cette fois nous voulions demeurer sur les lieux.
Alors nous nous sommes rendus à Rigaud.
La sucrerie de la Montagne offre un tel forfait. Une
maisonnette enchantée en bois rond nous attendait.
Que dire de l’immense foyer! Pas de meilleure manière
de jouir de la vie...belles flammes, bon verre de vin, bons amis. Nous étions
à deux minutes de marche de la cabane à sucre, du magasin général, de la
boulangerie et surtout de la tire sur neige. Quel délice!!!
La bouffe maison!!! tourtière, râgout de boulettes, soupe aux pois, tarte au
sucre, oreilles de crisse, crèpes,..., et sirop d’érable. Le tout à volonté! Deux
musiciens agrémentent les repas. Bon service,
bonne bouffe, belle ambiance...
Si tu t’y rends pour la journée, une grosse voiturette tirée par des chevaux te
conduit à la cabane. Pour les adeptes du ski de randonnée, les propriétaires
de la cabane entretiennent d’excellentes pistes. Pour le ski alpin, il faut
se rendre au Mont de Rigaud (pas loin en voiture). Magasiner? Pas de
problème. Belles petites boutiques à Rigaud mais encore mieux à Hudson,
situé à environ 15 minutes.
Très belle fin de semaine sans télé, sans WiFi. Gros bisous sucrés!
Cécile Archambault
RELAY FOR LIFE
Don’t forget it even if we do not have a team. Many of us will still be participating. Our dollars do
matter. Without research there can be no cures. The following is an excerpt from the Canadian Cancer
web site:
‘Childhood, adolescent and young adult cancer research remains an area of priority for cancer
researchers because treating patients in this age group is drastically different from treating typical
adult cancers. In general, tumours in young people grow more quickly and spread to other parts of
the body faster. Though we have seen huge progress in our ability to treat common childhood cancers
like leukemia, cancer is still the leading cause of disease-related death among children. Because some
cancers of young people remain particularly resistant to treatments, more work needs to be done to
continue to improve survival rates.
The Canadian Cancer Society invests in leading-edge cancer research, like that of Dr Torsten Nielsen, to
find new and better ways to treat and prevent childhood, adolescent and young adult cancers.
In 2013 Canadian Cancer Society Impact Grant winner was researcher Dr Torsten Nielsen.
Dr Nielsen and his team are focused on synovial sarcoma, a type of cancer that typically affects young
people and which is resistant to most treatment options. Currently, only about half of all synovial
sarcoma patients survive. Dr Nielsen and his Team have been working on developing better ways to
treat synovial sarcoma and a group of related cancers also affecting young patients, with the goal of
improving survival rates to save more lives.
To date, Dr Nielsen and his Team have made some incredibly encouraging discoveries. They have
made significant progress in understanding the activity of drugs called HDAC inhibitors. This drug
reverses some of the molecular changes in synovial sarcoma and causes death of the cancer cells,
meaning that they could be a crucial component in the creation of specific targeted therapies for this
disease. In addition to this, Dr Nielsen is researching how other potential drugs can be used alone or
in combination with the HDAC inhibitors, and has identified several promising candidates with a view
toward proceeding to clinical trials.
Thanks to the Michael Albert Garron Foundation Synovial Sarcoma Fund, Dr Nielsen’s work is able to
continue at least until 2018. In the coming years, Dr Nielsen and his Team will focus on studying how
these forms of sarcoma develop, and will continue their research into potential therapies in order to
introduce new and improved treatments for a variety of sarcomas and save lives.’
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Cécile Archambault
AWARDS – SPRING 2016
Two categories of Awards are presented on a yearly basis for service to RTO/ERO District 4 members at
large and/or the Executive Board.
1. Certificates of Recognition
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: A Certificate of Recognition may be given to any RTO/ERO member who
either serves at the District level or who volunteers for an extended period of time within the
communities of District 4.
At last year’s Annual General Meeting, 11 Certificates of Recognition were awarded.
Please submit any nominations for a Certificate of Recognition, along with accompanying rationale, to
[email protected] by Friday, April 29, 2016.
2. Guill Archambault Award
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: This award is given to any RTO/ERO member who demonstrates a high level
of commitment to serving the needs of others either at the District level or within the communities of
District 4.
This is our District’s most prestigious award.
Please submit any nominations for the Guill Archambault Award, along with accompanying rationale, to
[email protected] by Friday, April 29, 2016.
Roland Muzzatti
FORMULAIRE D’INSCRIPTION
AU DÉJEUNER RTO/ERO
LEXINGTON HOTEL, RUE BRADY
Le jeudi 12 mai, 2016
10 h 30 – 11 h 15 Accueil & retrouvailles
11 h 15 – 12 h 15 Élections et réunion d’affaires
12 h 15
Déjeuner (22 $ la personne) – Bar payant
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Nom : (imprimez s.v.p.)____________________________________________________
Numéro de téléphone : ________________________
Montant du chèque : _________________$ (Aucun chèque postdaté, merci)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Veuillez libeller votre chèque à RTO/ERO District 4 et le faire parvenir avec votre formulaire
d’inscription AU PLUS TARD le jeudi 28 avril, 2015 à :
Pierrette Nadeau
989, promenade Soloy
Sudbury, ON P3A 1E6
(705) 524-1972
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REGISTRATION FORM
RTO/ERO’S SPRING LUNCHEON
LEXINGTON HOTEL, BRADY STREET
Thursday, May 12, 2016
10:30 am – 11:15 am
11:15 am – 12:15 pm
12:15 pm
Meet & Greet
Elections and Business Meeting
Luncheon ($22 per person) – Cash Bar
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Name: (please print)______________________________________________________
Telephone number: _______________________________
Amount of cheque $ _________________ (Sorry, no post-dated cheques accepted)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Please make cheque payable to RTO/ERO District 4
Send your registration form to:
Pierrette Nadeau
989 Soloy Drive
Sudbury (ON) P3A 1E6
(705) 524-1972
Deadline for registration is Thursday, April 28, 2015.
If you have a change of address, email or phone number
please contact DIANE VEZEAU at 1-800-361-9888
or by e-mail: [email protected]
40037326
Editor/éditrice:
Francine Hurtubise (525-0971)
[email protected]
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